COVER STORY

JADA Continuing Education

Aerosols and splatter in dentistry

A brief review of the literature and infection control implications

STEPHEN K. HARREL, D.D.S. and JOHN MOLINARI, Ph.D.

Background. Aerosols and droplets are produced during many dental
procedures. With the advent of the droplet-spread disease severe acute
respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a review of the infection control procedures for
aerosols is warranted.

Types of Studies Reviewed. The authors reviewed representative medical and

dental literature for studies and reports that documented the spread of disease
through an airborne route. They also reviewed the dental literature for
representative studies of contamination from various dental procedures and
methods of reducing airborne contamination from those procedures.

Results. The airborne spread of measles, tuberculosis and SARS is well-

documented in the medical literature. The dental literature shows that many
dental procedures produce aerosols and droplets that are contaminated with
bacteria and blood. These aerosols represent a potential route for disease
transmission. The literature also documents that airborne contamination can be
minimized easily and inexpensively by layering several infection control steps into
the routine precautions used during all dental procedures.

Clinical Implications. In addition to the routine use of standard barriers such as

masks and gloves, the universal use of pre-procedural rinses and high-volume
evacuation is recommended.

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 135, No 4, 429-437.

2004 The American Dental Association